The call for solidarity follows events that began on Monday evening when activists occupied the Athens Law Office as a gesture of support for the Palestinian people. The occupation was met with a forceful response early the next morning, as riot police intervened, forcibly removing the sympathisers and cutting the chains that were used to secure the building.

During the raid, 28 individuals were detained, with these detentions later turning into formal arrests. The incident has sparked significant attention, not only from the public but also from political leaders. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis commented on the situation during a pre-election appearance in Evros on Tuesday afternoon, emphasising a return to the “law and order” doctrine ahead of the European elections. He criticised the occupation, warning against replicating protest tactics seen in other countries that involve occupying university spaces or similar venues.

In his remarks, Mitsotakis stated: “And if some people think they can, for reasons they find perfectly justified, repeat what they may have seen in other countries and occupy universities, they are deeply mistaken, as you saw with the evacuation of the occupation that took place at the Law School.”

Additionally, this week also marks the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, a day of significant historical and emotional weight for the Palestinian community. On May 15, 1948, a day after the founding of Israel, approximately 750,000 Palestinians were expelled, and an estimated 15,000 were killed. Over 400 Arab villages were also destroyed during this period. In 1998, Yasser Arafat declared May 15 as “Nakba Day” or “Day of Destruction,” commemorating this profound loss and displacement.

Collectives are now mobilising for a demonstration on Wednesday, May 15, to commemorate Nakba Day and continue to draw attention to the ongoing struggles faced by the Palestinian people.

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